Medical Debt Statute of Limitations in Ohio
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
6 years
from Date of last medical service (written contract); for consumer transaction characterization under ORC § 2305.07(C), 30 calendar days after date of last charge or payment, whichever is later, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06.
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Ohio law sets a hard deadline of 6 years to sue over unpaid medical bills. The controlling statute is Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06, and the clock generally starts on Date of last medical service (written contract); for consumer transaction characterization under ORC § 2305.07(C), 30 calendar days after date of last charge or payment, whichever is later. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Ohio Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Debt | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C) |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.02 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A) |
| Dog Bite | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.11(A) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
When the Clock Starts
In Ohio, the limitations period for medical debt collection generally begins on Date of last medical service (written contract); for consumer transaction characterization under ORC § 2305.07(C), 30 calendar days after date of last charge or payment, whichever is later. Ohio does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
Two overlapping statutes govern Ohio medical debt: (1) ORC § 2305.06 — written contracts, 6 years; (2) ORC § 2305.07(C) — consumer transactions incurred for personal/household purposes (which includes most medical debt), 6 years, accruing 30 days after last charge or payment; whichever applies gives creditor 6 years; minor tolling under ORC § 2305.16 tolls SOL for minors (under 18) until disability is removed; Senate Bill 13 (134th General Assembly, effective June 16, 2021) amended § 2305.07 to add the consumer transaction provision
Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06, official Ohio statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Ohio government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Ohio Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 6 years | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 yrs | 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525(a) |
| West Virginia | 10 yrs | W. Va. Code § 55-2-6 |
| Kentucky | 10 yrs | KRS § 413.160 |
| Indiana | 6 yrs | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9 |
| Michigan | 6 yrs | MCL 600.5807 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue over unpaid medical bills in Ohio?
You have 6 years from Date of last medical service (written contract); for consumer transaction characterization under ORC § 2305.07(C), 30 calendar days after date of last charge or payment, whichever is later, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06.
Can I still sue after 6 years in Ohio?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Ohio generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
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Sources
- Official Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 — Contract in Writing; Six-Year Limitation (Ohio Laws and Rules)
- Corroborating Ohio Revised Code § 2305.06 (2025) — Contract in Writing — Justia
- Corroborating Ohio Revised Code § 2305.06 — Written Contract Limitation — FindLaw
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Ohio attorney.